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Background Latinos living in emerging communities (i.e., nontraditional destinations with a small but growing population) face obstacles to their mental and physical health. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-month, promotor-led intervention on access to care, physical activity, dietary practices, and perceived social support among Latino adults living in an emerging community, compared with a nonrandomly assigned control group. Method Participants ( n = 81 intervention; n = 86 control) were drawn from Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Promotores used an intervention tool offering nondirective social support to assist participants in developing SMART goals to address their life concerns in eight domains (e.g., social, diet, and exercise/recreation); the control group received printed materials. Participants completed a survey in Spanish at baseline and follow-up to assess outcomes and had their height and weight measured. Adjusted linear mixed effects models compared change in outcomes over time. Results There was a marginally significant improvement in dietary practices in the intervention group at follow-up, and no change in access to care. Both groups experienced an improvement in social support. There was a significant intervention-by-time interaction such that the intervention group increased physical activity by 259 minutes/week compared with the control group. Conclusion This study demonstrates the potential effectiveness of a promotores network in assisting individuals living in an emerging Latino community to address their life concerns and improve health behaviors. Future studies should include objective and more rigorous measures with a larger sample to replicate these results.

This analysis examined whether a community-based intervention produced measurable improvements in dietary habits. MOVE UP combined translational, evidence-based weight management and healthy aging interventions using a non-randomized design. This 13-month intervention included 32 group sessions, explicit calorie and physical activity goals, self-monitoring, and nutrition education. Participants were ( N = 297) older adults (mean = 68.0 years) with overweight and obesity. Diet was measured using Rate Your Plate (RYP)-Heart. Changes in scores from baseline to 5, 9, and 13 months were assessed using mixed models. MOVE UP successfully shifted eating patterns from baseline (mean = 50.9) to 5 months (mean = 55.1) ( p < .0001) adjusted for age, sex, and race. Improvements persisted through 9 (mean = 54.7) and 13 months (mean = 55.0) ( p < .0001). Although participants were not prescribed a specific diet, RYP-Heart indicated positive dietary shifts. Community-implemented behavioral weight loss interventions may assess the modifiability of dietary habits with a simple, easy-to-administer tool.

PURPOSE: To examine changes in physical activity (PA) during a behavioral weight-loss intervention and determine baseline factors associated with PA goal achievement. METHODS: Overweight/obese community-dwelling adults with valid PA accelerometer data (N=116; mean age 51.7 years; 89% female; 83% non-Hispanic White) were recruited into a single-arm prospective cohort study examining the effects of a 12-month intervention that included 24 in-person group sessions, weight-loss, calorie, fat gram, and PA goals, self-monitoring, and feedback. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous (MV) PA and steps were measured using a waist-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3x) at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Achievement of the 150 minute/week MVPA goal was examined using total minutes and bout minutes (i.e., counting only PA occurring in bouts ≥10 minutes in length). Change in PA was analyzed using non-parametric tests for multiple comparisons. Associations of factors with meeting the PA goal were modeled using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: At 6 months, there were increases from baseline in MVPA (median [p25, p75]: 5.3 [−0.9, 17.6] minutes/day) and steps (863 [−145, 2790] steps/day), both p

This study aimed to test the efficacy of self-monitoring and feedback (SM+FB) versus SM without FB (SM) in a behavioral weight-loss intervention at 6 months.This was a randomized clinical trial. Eligibility criteria included the following: ≥18 years of age, BMI ≥ 27 and ≤43, smartphone user, and ability to engage in moderate physical activity. All participants received a 90-minute 1:1 counseling session, a Fitbit Charge 2, and a digital scale for SM. SM+FB participants were provided access to a customized smartphone application that provided three daily FB messages. The primary outcome was percentage of weight change from 0 to 6 months.The sample (N = 502) was 45 (SD 14.4) years old, BMI was 33.7 (SD 4.00) kg/mThere was no significant between-group difference in weight loss at 6 months.

Background: Adding feedback messages (FB) to self-monitoring (SM) may reinforce behavior change. However, socio-environmental conditions (e.g., limited access to parks and low walkability) may limit one’s ability to respond to FB focused on physical activity (PA). Hypothesis: Residents of high walkability neighborhoods will achieve higher PA levels at 12 months than those in low walkability neighborhoods regardless of whether FB was randomly assigned. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a 12-month behavioral weight loss trial, where adults with overweight or obesity were randomized to SM+FB (n=251) or SM alone (n=251). The SM+FB group received a smartphone pop-up message every other day tailored to their PA data. Assessment included neighborhood walkability via Smart Walk Score (low [ Results: Participants (N=502) were primarily white (82.5%), female (79.5%), well-educated (16.4±2.8 years), mean age of 45±14.4 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 33.10±3.93 kg/m 2 . Compared to those from neighborhoods with high walkability, participants from neighborhoods with low walkability were more likely to be White (75.3% vs. 87.8%, P ==.0003) and older (41.4±14.7 vs. 47.7±13.6 years, P P =.170) or steps (b±SE=-816.48±484.83, P =.092) over 12 months. lnMVPA (b±SE=0.12±0.10, P =.244) and steps (b±SE=415.05±344.50, P =.228) were on average similar between walkability groups. Both lnMVPA (b 6mo ±SE=0.003±0.07, P =.968; b 12mo ±SE=-0.23±0.08, P =.009) and steps (b 6mo ±SE=-416.18±195.68, P =.034; b 12mo ±SE=-1443.75±227.49, P P =.047) and marginally greater number of steps (b±SE=674.84±392.91, P =.086) than SM group. There were no significant interactions for group and time or group, time, and walkability ( P ≥.05). Conclusion: On average, FB had a small but significant positive impact on PA over 12 months, but neighborhood walkability did not moderate the treatment effect of FB on PA. The small effect of FB on PA may have limited our ability to detect moderation of neighborhood walkability on the treatment effects of FB on PA. Future studies need to replicate this analysis in a trial with larger treatment effects and a more diverse sample.

Introduction: Workplace interventions using behavioral economics approaches may provide low-cost opportunities for promoting healthy lifestyle. It is unknown if employees at higher chronic disease risk are more likely to benefit from workplace health promotion programs than employees at lower risk. This analysis assessed the differential effect of a 12-month behavioral workplace healthy eating intervention on improving dietary choices of employees’ with and without chronic disease risk. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the intervention effect on cafeteria food purchases and diet quality would be stronger among employees with chronic disease risk compared to those without. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of the ChooseWell 365 RCT conducted among hospital employees to test the effect of personalized feedback, peer comparisons, and financial incentives on improving cafeteria purchases, dietary intake, and weight. All hospital cafeterias used traffic-light food labeling. Published main results showed an intervention effect on cafeteria purchases but not overall diet quality or weight change. Diet quality was calculated from dietary recalls and measured via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015), scored 0-100 (healthiest). Healthy purchasing scores (HPS) were calculated for each participant, weighting purchases’ color categories (red=0, yellow=0.5, green=1), scaled from 0-100 (healthiest). HEI-2015 and HPS were calculated at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Participants were classified as having chronic disease risk if they self-reported hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, stroke, pre-diabetes, diabetes, cancer or another serious illness at baseline. Mixed models with random effects were used to compare dietary changes by study arm and risk categorization adjusted for body mass index, age, and race. Results: Participants (N=562) were mostly female (80.3%) and white (81.1%) with a median (p25, p75) age of 42 (33, 55) years; 38.1% reported at least one chronic disease risk condition. There was no differential intervention effect on HPS at any timepoint by chronic disease risk (all p-interaction>0.05): Among those with chronic disease risk, intervention participants increased HPS (unadjusted mean [SD]) from baseline through 24 months (68 [13] to 74 [13]) compared to control (68 [14] to 68 [16]). This was similar to the difference between intervention (67 [12] to 72 [13]) and control participants (69 [12] to 72 [12]) without risk. There was no differential intervention effect on HEI by chronic disease risk (all p-interaction>0.05). Conclusions: The ChooseWell 365 behavioral intervention improved the healthfulness of cafeteria purchases of employees with and without chronic disease risk, suggesting that workplace health promotion programs can improve lifestyle behaviors that contribute to both the prevention and treatment of chronic disease.

BACKGROUND Medicare coverage for audio-only telehealth is slated to end this year after the public health emergency concludes. When the time comes, many patients may be unable to make the transition from audio-only to video telehealth due to digital inexperience. This study explores the second digital divide within video telehealth use, which is primarily characterized by skills and capabilities rather than access, by measuring eHealth literacy (eHL) and video capabilities in hospitalized patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate video capabilities, eHealth literacy, and engagement with video telehealth among hospitalized patients. METHODS The study design is a cross-sectional observational study of adult inpatients at the University of Chicago Medical Center. We assessed self-reported rates of audio versus video telehealth usage as well as the participants’ self-reported willingness to use video telehealth for future health care visits. We used a multivariable binary logistic regression to determine the odds ratio for being unwilling to use video telehealth, adjusted for age, sex, race or ethnicity, educational level, eHL literacy scale (eHEALS), health literacy (brief health literacy screen), technology access, internet access, and video capability. RESULTS Of the 297 enrolled participants, median age was 58 years, most (n=185, 62%) identified as Black, half (n=149, 50%) were female, one-quarter (n=66, 22%) lacked home internet access, and one-third (n=102, 34%) had inadequate eHL. CONCLUSIONS Patients with low eHL reported greater participation in audio-only telehealth over video telehealth, of which the former may lose its flexible pandemic reimbursement policy. This may widen the existing health disparities as older adults and patients with low eHL face challenges in accessing video telehealth services. Low eHL is associated with lack of web-based skills, lower rates of video telehealth usage, and lower willingness to use video technology. The study results raise the question of how to improve video capability among patients who, despite having access to smartphones and laptops, face challenges in using telehealth optimally.

IEEE We have previously reported the development of a cryogen-free critical current characterization system able to measure field-angle dependences of voltage-current characteristics of short-length superconducting tapes to temperatures of 25 K, fields up to 8 T and currents up to 875 A. We have now extended the existing system and built a parallel system which further extends the parameter space to 10 K, 12 T, 1600 A. With a software suite that fully automates batch measurements we have been able to generate detailed coverage of the temperature-field-angle-current parameter space relevant to many of the applications proposed for high-temperature superconducting tapes. We describe the improvements to the system and present data from commercial tape samples that illustrates the utility of the instrument.

During mammalian lymphoid development, Notch signaling is necessary at multiple stages of T lymphopoiesis, including lineage commitment, and later stages of T cell effector differentiation. In contrast, outside of a defined role in the development of splenic marginal zone B cells, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether Notch signaling plays functional roles in other B cell sub-populations. Complement receptor 2 (CR2) modulates BCR-signaling and is tightly regulated throughout differentiation. During B lymphopoiesis, CR2 is detected on immature and mature B cells with high surface expression on marginal zone B cells. Here, we have explored the possibility that Notch regulates human CR2 transcriptional activity using in vitro models including a co-culture system, co-transfection gene reporters and chromatin accessibility assays. We provide evidence that Notch signaling regulates CR2 promoter activity in a mature B cell line, as well as the induction of endogenous CR2 mRNA in a non-expressing pre-B cell line. The dynamics of endogenous gene activation suggests additional unidentified factors are required to mediate surface CR2 expression on immature and mature B lineage cells.

Latinos living in emerging communities (i.e., nontraditional destinations with a small but growing population) face obstacles to their mental and physical health. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-month,Participants (There was a marginally significant improvement in dietary practices in the intervention group at follow-up, and no change in access to care. Both groups experienced an improvement in social support. There was a significant intervention-by-time interaction such that the intervention group increased physical activity by 259 minutes/week compared with the control group.This study demonstrates the potential effectiveness of a

BACKGROUND Self-monitoring (SM) is the centerpiece of behavioral weight loss treatment, but the efficacy of smartphone-delivered SM feedback (FB) has not been tested in large, long-term, randomized trials. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy of providing remote FB to diet, physical activity (PA), and weight SM on improving weight loss outcomes when comparing the SM plus FB (SM+FB) condition to the SM-only condition in a 12-month randomized controlled trial. The study was a single-site, population-based trial that took place in southwestern Pennsylvania, USA, conducted between 2018 and 2021. Participants were smartphone users age ≥18 years, able to engage in moderate PA, with a mean BMI between 27 and 43 kg/m2. METHODS All participants received a 90-minute, one-to-one, in-person behavioral weight loss counseling session addressing behavioral strategies, establishing participants’ dietary and PA goals, and instructing on use of the PA tracker (Fitbit Charge 2), smart scale, and diet SM app. Only SM+FB participants had access to an investigator-developed smartphone app that read SM data, in which an algorithm selected tailored messages sent to the smartphone up to 3 times daily. The SM-only participants did not receive any tailored FB based on SM data. The primary outcome was percent weight change from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes included engagement with digital tools (eg, monthly percentage of FB messages opened and monthly percentage of days adherent to the calorie goal). RESULTS Participants (N=502) were on average 45.0 (SD 14.4) years old with a mean BMI of 33.7 (SD 4.0) kg/m2. The sample was 79.5% female (n=399/502) and 82.5% White (n=414/502). At 12 months, retention was 78.5% (n=394/502) and similar by group (SM+FB: 202/251, 80.5%; SM: 192/251, 76.5%; P=.28). There was significant percent weight loss from baseline in both groups (SM+FB: –2.12%, 95% CI –3.04% to –1.21%, PPt =–0.41; P=.68). Similarly, 26.3% (66/251) of the SM+FB group and 29.1% (73/251) of the SM group achieved ≥5% weight loss (chi-square value=0.49; P=.49). A 1% increase in FB messages opened was associated with a 0.10 greater percent weight loss at 12 months (b=–0.10; 95% CI –0.13 to –0.07; t =–5.90; PF=22.19; P CONCLUSIONS There were no significant between-group differences in weight loss; however, the findings suggested that the use of commercially available digital SM tools with or without FB resulted in a clinically significant weight loss in over 25% of participants. Future studies need to test additional strategies that will promote greater engagement with digital tools. CLINICALTRIAL Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03367936; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03367936

The Regulators of Complement Activation (RCA) gene cluster comprises several tandemly arranged genes with shared functions within the immune system. RCA members, such as complement receptor 2 (CR2), are well-established susceptibility genes in complex autoimmune diseases. Altered expression of RCA genes has been demonstrated at both the functional and genetic level, but the mechanisms underlying their regulation are not fully characterised. We aimed to investigate the structural organisation of the RCA gene cluster to identify key regulatory elements that influence the expression of CR2 and other genes in this immunomodulatory region. Using 4C, we captured extensive CTCF-mediated chromatin looping across the RCA gene cluster in B cells and showed these were organised into two topologically associated domains (TADs). Interestingly, an inter-TAD boundary was located within the CR1 gene at a well-characterised segmental duplication. Additionally, we mapped numerous gene-gene and gene-enhancer interactions across the region, revealing extensive co-regulation. Importantly, we identified an intergenic enhancer and functionally demonstrated this element upregulates two RCA members (CR2 and CD55) in B cells. We have uncovered novel, long-range mechanisms whereby autoimmune disease susceptibility may be influenced by genetic variants, thus highlighting the important contribution of chromatin topology to gene regulation and complex genetic disease., This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [R01 AI24717 to JH], the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship at the University of Western Australia [to JC and JSC], the Spanish Government [BFU2016-74961-P to JG-S] and an institutional grant Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu [MDM-206-0687 to the Department of Gene Regulation and Morphogenesis, Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrol].

Background: A core component of standard behavior treatment for weight loss is establishing goals for caloric restriction and weekly minutes of physical activity (PA). Adherence to these behavior change goals is essential for successful weight loss outcomes. The aim of this paper is to examine adherence to the behavior change goals in the two treatment conditions: Self-Monitoring plus personalized Feedback (SM+FB) or SM alone. Methods: We conducted a single-site, two-arm randomized controlled trial from August 2018 to March 2021. Adults (N=502) 18 years of age or over with body mass index (BMI) 27-43 kg/m 2 were randomized with equal allocation to SM+FB (n=251) or SM (n=251). Feedback messages were sent daily for diet and every other day for PA. Adherence to the dietary and PA goals were defined as: 1) for diet the number of days one was adherent to the calorie goal (i.e., between 80% and 120% with the wide range due to the lack of precision in self-reported food intake) and 2) for PA the percentage of minutes of fairly and very active minutes per week meeting the PA goal of at least 150 minutes for fairly and very active minutes based on the Fitbit Charge 2™. Associations between treatment assignment and adherence to the dietary and PA goals were examined using linear mixed modeling with intention-to-treat method. Results: The sample (N=502) was mostly white (84%, 423 of 502), female (79%, 399 of 502) and on average 45.0±14.4 years of age and BMI of 33.7±4.0 kg/m 2 . Study retention at 12 months was 79%. The trajectory of change in adherence to the dietary goal was non-linear over 12 months (b=-.18, 95% CI [-.20, -.17]; b 2 =.006, 95% CI [.005, .007]; b 3 =-.0001, 95% CI [-.00007, -.00006], all Ptrt*time = .03, 95% CI [.01, .06]; b trt*time*time = -.002, 95% CI [-.003, -.001]; b trt*time*time*time = .00003, 95% CI [.00002, .00004], all P2 =.08, 95% CI [.04, .11], b 3 =-.001, 95% CI [-.002, -.001], all Ptrt*time = -.80, 95% CI [-1.40, -.20]; b trt*time*time = .02, 95% CI [.004, -.03], all P Conclusions: In this study, adherence to the dietary and PA goals was associated with daily FB, which may be related to the frequency of the feedback messages. Further studies are needed to determine the best dose of tailored feedback messages to achieve sustained adherence to the prescribed behavior change goals.

Introduction: Dietary modification is key to standard behavioral treatment for weight loss. However, few studies assess whether diet quality—the overall healthfulness of the diet—is improved over the course of the intervention. As diet quality is relevant to health separate from its effect on weight, it may be an important endpoint to assess. The purpose of this secondary analysis of a randomized mobile health weight loss trial was to assess whether self-monitoring with automated, personalized feedback (SM+FB) compared to self-monitoring alone (SM) resulted in improved diet quality. Methods: Adults (N=502) with overweight/obesity (n=251 in SM+FB; n=251 SM) were provided calorie, fat gram, and physical activity goals and instructed to weigh daily, wear a Fitbit activity tracker, and self-monitor diet. Feedback messages were sent up to three times daily to SM+FB participants and were based on participant reported intake of calories, fat, and sugar but did not specifically target diet quality. Diet data were collected from two dietary recalls at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using the Automated Self-Administered system (ASA-24). The Simple Scoring method was used to calculate Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) total scores as it aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Change in diet quality was assessed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Missing dietary data was imputed using last observation carried forward. Analyses used intention to treat. Results: The overall sample was mostly female (79%), white (82.5%), and middle-aged (mean=45.0 years, SD=14.4 years). Baseline HEI-2015 total scores were similar between SM (mean=54.44, SE=0.78) and SM+FB (mean=55.49, SE=0.82) and did not improve for either group over 6 months (SM: mean=55.64, SE=0.77; SM+FB: mean=56.89, SE=0.88) or 12 months (SM: mean=56.21, SE=0.81; SM+FB: mean=56.10, SE=0.88). Group, time, and group by time interaction effects were all non-significant (p>0.003) after Bonferroni adjustment. Discussion: Given that the HEI-2015 total score ranges from 0 to 100 with 74 meeting Healthy People 2020 goals, the diet quality of participants was less than ideal (grade: F) at baseline. The small improvements over time were likely not clinically significant. Future mHealth interventions might consider ways to increase user engagement, customization of additional features beyond feedback, and the addition of more targeted nutritional education in order to improve diet quality.

Background: Wearable trackers such as Fitbit may promote physical activity (PA) levels recommended by the US Physical Activity Guidelines. However, there is a lack of evidence on the associations between long-term wearable tracker use and temporal patterns of PA levels. Therefore, we aimed to identify distinct trajectories of the adherence to PA goals using group-based trajectory modeling in a year-long mobile health weight-loss trial. Method: PA data were collected within the SMARTER weight-loss trial that recruited adults (i.e., age ≥18 years) from 2018 to 2020 from southwest PA, USA. Healthy adults with body mass index between 27-43 kg/m 2 were randomized to either self-monitoring with daily personalized feedback messages (SM+FB, n=251) or self-monitoring only (SM, n=251) and followed for 52 weeks. Adherence to weekly PA goals, the primary outcome of this analysis, was computed as the percentage of fairly active and very active total minutes per week measured by Fitbit Charge 2™ relative to the minimum PA goal of 150 minutes/week recommended for all study participants. We used group-based trajectory modeling to identify distinct temporal patterns of adherence to weekly PA goals. Results: The sample (N = 502) was mostly female (n=399, 79%), white (n=423, 82%) with a mean age of 45.0 ± 14.4 years. Among the models considered, the five-group trajectory model for adherence to weekly PA goals was selected based on the best data fit: low adherence with a linear decline (n=80, 16.0%; b[intercept] ± SE: 73.18 ± 5.03, plow initial adherence with nonlinear increase (n=194, 38.7%; b[intercept] ± SE: 93.48 ± 3.63, pmoderate initial adherence with linear decline (n=145, 28.8%, b[intercept] ± SE: 230.53 ±2.83, pmoderate initial adherence with nonlinear decline (n=39, 7.8%, b[intercept] ± SE: 216.99 ± 18.72, phigh initial adherence with nonlinear decline (n=44, 8.8%; b[intercept] ± SE: 379.46 ± 9.84, p Conclusions: We identified five distinct trajectories for long-term adherence to the PA goal over 52 weeks. More research is needed to determine additional means of supporting PA in individuals with low and declining adherence trajectories.

Weight loss interventions focus on dietary and physical activity changes to induce weight loss. Both through weight loss and independent of it, diet quality is important for reducing chronic disease risk. However, whether and how diet quality changes over the course of a behavioral intervention is unclear.To systematically review the evidence from randomized controlled trials on the effect of behavioral interventions on diet quality as defined by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) among adults with overweight and obesity.PubMed, Ebscohost CINAHL, Embase, OVID APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through May 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trial design, a primary or secondary aim of weight loss, a sample of US adults with overweight or obesity, measurement using the HEI-2005, 2010, or 2015, and assessment of the time by treatment effect. Interventions must have included behavioral components and lasted at least 3 months. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. The systematic review protocol was published on Open Science Framework.Of 3,707 citations retrieved, 18 studies met inclusion criteria. A wide array of behavioral interventions were assessed, including in-person and mobile health interventions as well as those prescribing intake of specific foods. Risk of bias in the included studies primarily arose from the measurement of the outcome variable. Sample sizes ranged from 34 to 413 participants. Nine studies used multiple dietary recalls, with few using the recommended method of Healthy Eating Index calculation. Changes in diet quality ranged from no improvement to a 20-point improvement. More often, improvement was in the 4- to 7-point range.The evidence for the efficacy of behavioral weight loss interventions for improving diet quality among adults with overweight and obesity is limited. Modest improvements in HEI scores were observed in the reviewed studies.

Background: Behavioral interventions targeting weight loss may be affected by socio-environmental factors that influence physical activity (PA) and cardiometabolic outcomes. Purpose: To evaluate the relation of neighborhood walkability on PA levels and glucose control in a sample of adults participating in a weight loss study. Methods: Secondary analysis of a prospective observational study providing a 12-month behavioral weight loss intervention to examine lapses after intentional weight loss. Neighborhood walkability was assessed via Walk Score (0-100), PA via waist-worn ActiGraph GT3X, and blood glucose via phlebotomy. Study variables included car-dependent and walkable neighborhoods (Walk Score < vs. ≥50), prediabetes (fasting blood glucose from 100-126mg/dL) and recommended PA (moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA] >22 minutes/day; steps ≥7500/day). Standard descriptive and group comparative statistics were employed. Regression results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The sample (N=112) was mostly female (90.2%), white (90.2%), well educated (75.9% with ≥4 years of college) and on average 51.5±9.8 years of age. At baseline, no differences existed between persons from car-dependent vs. walkable neighborhoods across all metrics. At 12 months, PA and glucose control were improved for the entire sample, with no differences across walkability categories. Neighborhood walkability did not predict attainment of recommended MVPA (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 0.97-1.39) or steps (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.90-1.30) at 12 months. However, those from walkable neighborhoods had 17% lower odds of having prediabetes compared to those from car-dependent neighborhoods (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.97). Conclusion: Our findings corroborate previous studies showing an inverse relation between neighborhood walkability and prediabetes. The key drivers of this association warrant further investigation in a study with a larger, more diverse sample. Disclosure J. K. Kariuki: None. J. Cheng: None. L. E. Burke: None. Z. Bizhanova: None. B. Rockette-wagner: None. B. B. Gibbs: None. S. M. Sereika: None. C. Kline: None. K. Erickson: None. D. Mendez: None. I. Pulantara: None. Funding National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL107370S to J.K.K.)

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for CVD. Standard behavioral treatment (SBT) typically requires face-to-face sessions, is expensive, has limited evidence for sustained weight loss, and critically, is not available to many with obesity. Using innovative mobile technology to provide real-time tailored feedback (FB) to the self-monitoring (SM) of diet, physical activity, and weight can improve lifestyle and weight management habits. It can be accessible to those without access to SBT, or to those not wishing to participate in a structured, in-person program. We report short-term, 6-month weight findings from the SMARTER Trial. Methods: SMARTER tests the efficacy of adding automated FB to smartphone SM compared to SM alone on weight loss. We randomized 502 adults with overweight/obesity to either 1) SM alone (n=251) or 2) SM+FB (n=251). The SM+FB group received up to 3 FB pop-up messages/day on their smartphone which were tailored to data in SM entries and delivered at random times during waking hours. Participants used a smartphone app to self-report diet, a Fitbit Charge 2 to monitor physical activity, and a digital Bluetooth scale for weight tracking. At baseline, all had a 90-min one-on-one session with a dietitian on behavioral changes to target weight loss. Percent weight loss from baseline to 6 months and the percentage of participants having at least a 5% weight loss at 6 months were compared between treatment groups using an intention to treat (ITT) approach with either parametric or non-parametric group comparisons. Missing assessment weights at 6 months were imputed using participants’ weight tracking data. Results: Groups had similar demographic characteristics and anthropometric measures at baseline (all p≥.05). The sample was mostly female (79.5%,399/502) and white (84.3%, 423/502) with mean BMI of 33.10 ± 3.93 kg/m 2 . There was no difference between groups in having weight data available at 6 months (SM: 84.9%, 213/251), SM+FB: 83.7%, 210/251); p=.713). Based on ITT analyses, there was no significant difference between the two groups in mean percent weight loss from baseline to 6 months (SM: Mean= -3.24% [SD=5.27], SM+FB: Mean= -3.16% [SD=5.50]; p=.860). Similar results were obtained using non-parametric methods, further supporting no difference in percent weight loss between the groups (SM: Median= -2.25% [IQR=5.53], SM+FB: Median= -2.45% [IQR=6.88]; p=.962). Overall, 30.1%,151/502) achieved at least 5% weight loss at 6 months, with similar percentages between treatment groups (SM: 28.3%,71/251, SM+FB: 31.9%, 80/251); p=.381). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate excellent 6-month assessment completion rates. We did not support our hypothesis that participants in the SM+FB group would show greater weight loss at 6 months than those in the SM group. It is possible that weight loss outcomes may differ between groups in the second half of the 12-month intervention.

Social cognitive theory posits that observing similar others succeed (i.e., vicarious experience) can improve self-efficacy. However, there are very limited data on the utility of vicarious experience in promoting physical activity (PA). This analysis examined the association between vicarious experience and leisure-time PA (LTPA) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Cross-sectional analysis of MESA participants who completed exam 5. LTPA and neighborhood factors were self-reported. Neighborhood factors were converted into aesthetic, walking, and safety scores. Group comparative analyses evaluated differences in variables of interest. The relationship between vicarious experience and recommended LTPA (≥ 7.5 MET-h/week) was assessed via logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.Participants (N = 4579) were older (69.7 ± 9.4 years), 53% female, 41% Caucasian, 26% Black, 21% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese. Those who reported vicarious experience had 45% (95% CI 1.16-1.81) greater odds of attaining recommended LTPA. Unfavorable walking score was associated with lower odds of attaining recommended LTPA (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-1.00). The aesthetic and safety scales were not associated with LTPA (OR = 1.00 [95% CI 0.89-1.13] and OR = 0.91 [95% CI 0.82-1.10], respectively).Programs exposing community-dwelling adults to peers engaging in PA could provide an effective public health approach to increase community-level PA participation.

The in air catalytic hydroboration of ketones and aldehydes with pinacolborane by an iron(II) coordination polymer (CP) is carried out under mild and solvent-free conditions. The precatalyst is highly active towards a wide range of substrates including functionalized ketones and aldehydes in the presence of KOtBu as an activator, achieving a high turnover number (TON) of up to 9500. Excellent chemoselectivity to aldehydes over ketones was also revealed, which is in sharp contrast with the results obtained under inert atmosphere using the same catalyst system. This catalyst observed here is not only highly efficient but also recyclable for reuse for at least 5 times without losing its effectiveness.

Background: Social cognitive theory (SCT) postulates that observing similar others succeed (vicarious experience) can improve self-efficacy and motivate action. The utility of vicarious experience has been demonstrated in controlled laboratory and clinical settings, but its operationalization and applicability for promoting physical activity (PA) in community settings remains unknown. Characterizing vicarious experiences and other neighborhood factors that are associated with improved PA in the community could help enhance exercise self-efficacy and PA. This secondary analysis examines neighborhood factors that predict leisure-time PA during exam 5 of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Methods: The sample included MESA subjects who participated in exam 5 (N= 4,716). Leisure-time PA was assessed using the MESA Typical Week PA Survey. Neighborhood behaviors and characteristics, including vicarious experiences (operationalized as observing others “exercise” or “walk”), perceived safety, crime, and walkability, were self-reported. Group comparative analyses were used to evaluate differences in categorical and continuous variables. The relationships between neighborhood characteristics and optimal leisure-time PA (≥10 MET-hrs/wk) were assessed using logistic regression adjusting for age, gender, race, income, body mass index (BMI), and depression, and including interactions between race, BMI and age. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Results: Participants with complete data on variables of interest (n=4,417) were elderly (age 69.8 ± 9.4 yrs), predominantly female (53%), and diverse (40% white, 12% Chinese, 26% black, 22% Hispanic). Participants who saw people exercise in their neighborhood were 44% (OR 1.44, 95% CI; 1.22 - 1.69) more likely to engage in optimal leisure-time PA compared to those who did not. Observing other people walk in the neighborhood did not impact leisure-time PA (OR 0.84, 95% CI; 0.68 - 1.04). Older age, female gender, obesity, minority status, and high-risk for depression were associated with lower odds of engaging in optimal leisure-time PA controlling for vicarious experience. Race had significant interactions with BMI and age. Other neighborhood characteristics including perceived safety, crime, and walkability did not influence the association between seeing similar others engage in PA and their own engagement in PA. Conclusions: Developing PA programs that expose community-dwelling adults to their peers who engage in PA could improve exercise self-efficacy and adherence to PA guidelines.

Highly effective hydroboration precatalyst is developed based on a cobalt(II)-terpyridine coordination polymer (CP). The hydroboration of ketones, aldehydes, and imines with pinacolborane (HBpin) has been achieved using the recyclable CP catalyst in the presence of an air-stable activator. A wide range of substrates containing polar C═O or C═N bonds have been hydroborated selectively in excellent yields under ambient conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Ethnic differences in smoking patterns and dependence have been observed between Caucasian and African American smokers: African Americans who smoke are more likely to be intermittent smokers (ITS), and among daily smokers (DS) consume fewer cigarettes, yet report more dependence. METHODS: Participants’ (N=482, 67% Caucasian, 54% ITS) dependence was assessed by Primary and Secondary Dependence subscales of the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives, the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale, the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence, and time to first cigarette after waking. We tested associations with dependence for ethnicity, smoker type, and an ethnicity by smoker type interaction, using multivariable linear regression, with adjustment for age, sex and education. Additional models adjusted for cigarettes per day and history of daily smoking. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between ethnicity and smoker type for five of six measures of dependence (each scale assessed separately), such that African American ITS reported more dependence than Caucasian ITS, whereas dependence did not differ by ethnicity among DS. African American ITS smoked more cigarettes per day and were more likely to have a history of daily smoking than Caucasian ITS; after further adjustments for these differences, there were no significant interactions of ethnicity and smoker type for any measure. CONCLUSIONS: Among DS, dependence did not differ by race. African American ITS were more dependent than Caucasian ITS; this difference was explained by higher cigarette consumption and a higher proportion converted from DS to ITS among African Americans vs. Caucasians.

Introducing pyrazoline derivatives into the classical 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (2,2′:6′,2″-tpy) backbone leads to the synthesis of a new class of compounds, 4′-pyrazolinyl-2,2′:6′,2″-tpys. Six such derivatives bearing differently substituted pyrazolines have been synthesized with a facile two-step procedure using simple chalcone compounds and 4′-hydrazino-2,2′:6′,2″-tpy as starting materials, and they were fully characterized by IR, NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Two representative crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The solid state structures reveal the presence of two enantiomers as a racemate in each of these compounds and the arrangement between aromatic rings in both tpy and pyrazoline domains can be affected by the substituents. The intermolecular packing is mainly driven by the π-stacking interactions between aromatic regions. The solution electronic absorption and emission behaviors of the new compounds were also investigated.

Cobalt(II) catalysts based on flexible PNP or NNN ligands were explored for the regioselective hydroboration of alkenes. A known CoII–PNP pincer complex was found to efficiently catalyze alkene hydroboration with excellent anti-Markovnikov selectivity, whereas a newly synthesized dinuclear CoII–NNN complex was found to catalyze the hydroboration of a range of aromatic terminal alkenes with good Markovnikov selectivities (up to 98:2, b/l). This represents a rare example of Markovnikov selectivity in the hydroboration of alkenes using an inexpensive, flexible-ligand-supported dinuclear cobalt catalyst.

A new hydroxymethyl-pendant salan (3) containing a chiral backbone and an extra O4 cavity has been prepared through a facile one-pot procedure. The ligand has been characterized by ESI-MS, elemental analysis and 2D NMR techniques. To continue our previous work on the catalytically asymmetric F-C reactions using multimetallic complexes involving salan-type ligands, we investigated the applicability of 3 for both asymmetric Henry and F-C reactions, in comparison with previously reported results using salans 1 and 2. It was revealed that although 3 was not a suitable ligand for homometallic copper-catalyzed Henry reaction, it was effective for the hetereobimetallic Cu/Zn-catalyzed asymmetric F-C reaction, affording desired alkylated product with good yield and moderate enantiomeric excess (ee), after screening of various catalyst combinations.

DICER is the central enzyme that cleaves precursor microRNAs (miRNAs) into 21-25 nucleotide duplex in cell lineage differentiation, identity, and survival. In the current study, we characterized the specific bone metabolism genes and corresponding miRNAs and found that DICER and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expressions increased simultaneously during osteogenic differentiation. Luciferase assay showed that Runx2 significantly increased the expression levels of DICER luciferase promoter reporter. Our analysis also revealed weaker DICER expression in embryos of Runx2 knock out mice (Runx2 -/-) compared with that of Runx2 +/- and Runx2 +/+ mice. We further established the calvarial bone critical-size defect (CSD) mouse model. The bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transfected with siRNA targeting DICER were combined with silk scaffolds and transplanted into calvarial bone CSDs. Five weeks post-surgery, micro-CT analysis revealed impaired bone formation, and repairing in calvarial defects with the siRNA targeting DICER group. In conclusion, our results suggest that DICER is specifically regulated by osteogenic master gene Runx2 that binds to the DICER promoter. Consequently, DICER cleaves precursors of miR-335-5p and miR-17-92 cluster to form mature miRNAs, which target and decrease the Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), and proapoptotic factor BIM levels, respectively, leading to an enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These intriguing results reveal a central mechanism underlying lineage-specific regulation by a Runx2/DICER/miRNAs cascade during osteogenic differentiation and bone development. Our study, also suggests a potential application of modulating DICER expression for bone tissue repair and regeneration. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 182-191, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dietary choices play an important role in disease prevention both through its effect on weight and independent of it. Improving diet can be an effective means of disease prevention among older adults. Participants (n=303) were recruited from the Allegheny County, PA area and received nutritional education in group sessions led by trained community health workers over one year. Diet quality was captured at baseline and final endpoint (either 9 or 13 months) using the Rate Your Plate (RYP) instrument for assessing healthfulness of diet and includes 24 items that can be summed to generate a total quality score. The mean RYP diet quality score improved from baseline (RYP=50.87) to endpoint (RYP=54.85) (p

Objective The objective of this study was to quantify the features of stereotypy in epileptic seizures and compare it with that of stereotypy in psychogenic nonepileptic seizure-like events (PNES) confirmed by video-electroencephalography (VEEG) monitoring. Methods Video-electroencephalography monitoring records of 20 patients with temporal lobe seizures (TLS) and 20 with PNES were retrospectively reviewed (n = 138 seizures, 48 TLS and 90 PNES). We analyzed the semiology of 59 behaviors of interest for their presence, duration, sequence, and continuity using quantified measures that were entered into statistical analysis. Results We identified discontinuity as the parameter that was clearly distinct between PNES and epileptic TLS events: there were significantly more frequent pauses of behavior (i.e., “on–off” pattern) in PNES compared with TLS (P = 0.012). The frequency of pauses during an event was diagnostic of PNES events. For instance, the presence of 2 “pauses” during an episode determines a 69% probability of the seizure being nonepileptic. Moreover, PNES events had significantly greater duration (143 s) than TLS events (68 s) (excluding outliers, P = 0.002) and greater duration variability from one event to another in the same subject (P = 0.005). Significance Our work provides the first quantified measure of behavioral semiology during epileptic and nonepileptic seizures and offers novel behavioral measures to differentiate them from each other.

Background Self-monitoring food intake and physical activity (PA) is positively related to weight loss and the addition of feedback (FB) messages has been shown to reinforce behavior change. Moreover, the more immediate the delivery of reinforcing FB messages, the more likely they will promote the desired behaviors. Purpose Describe design and rationale of SMARTER, a National Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood (NHLBI)-sponsored randomized, controlled trial, which compares the differential efficacy of two weight loss treatments among 530 adults, ages 18 and older. Methods Single-site, 2-group design trial with subjects randomized 1:1 to either: 1) self-monitoring (SM), where participants self-monitor diet, PA, and weight using a commercial smartphone application (app); or 2) SM + FB, where participants self-monitor and receive real-time, tailored feedback (FB) as pop-up messages up to 3 times/day for 12 months. Daily FB messages address diet and PA behaviors and a weekly FB message addresses self-weighing. We hypothesize that subjects assigned to SM + FB will show greater weight loss at 6 and 12 months and greater sustained engagement in the program than the SM group, measured by adherence to the study's lifestyle and SM protocol. We will explore temporal relationships of the frequency, timing, and type of FB delivered and subsequent lifestyle behaviors through examination of serially collected real-time SM (diet, PA, weight) data over 12 months. Conclusions If efficacious, this fully scalable intervention could be efficiently translated and disseminated to reach large numbers of individuals through commercial apps at lower cost than existing in-person weight loss programs.

Catalytic hydroboration of ketones with pinacolborane was achieved with a 2D iron(ii) coordination polymer (CP) of a divergent 4,2';6',4''-terpyridine (tpy) derivative under mild conditions with high efficiency. This solid iron catalyst system is more active towards the hydroboration of ketones than that of aldehydes, displaying a different trend of reactivity from known homogeneous iron hydroboration catalysts.

In this study we examined motives for exercise as well as the frequency and amount of time spent in exercising in female and male undergraduates in two Muslim countries [Oman, n = 104 and Pakistan, n = 134] as compared with those of U.S. undergraduates [n = 560]. As predicted, overall levels of exercise activity were found to be lower in undergraduates from Pakistan and Oman than in the U.S. sample, and higher in men than women across all three countries. Muslim women were least likely to exercise with the modal groups for both countries not exercising at all. Gender and country differences were more evident in reports of frequency and duration of exercise than in thinking about exercise. Thoughts about exercise predicted frequency and duration of exercise in all gender by country groups. Improving health was especially important as a reason for exercise for the Omani students, as predicted, although this motive was even higher in the Omani women than men. Pakistani women and men were motivated by wanting to relax (as predicted) and improve their appearance, an unexpected finding. For Spending Time with Others, Oman was highest, followed by Pakistan, and with the U.S. lowest, a result not predicted, although the more communal Muslim cultures may help explain this finding.

DICER is the central enzyme that cleaves precursor microRNAs (miRNAs) into 21-25 nucleotide duplex in cell lineage differentiation, identity, and survival. In the current study, we characterized the specific bone metabolism genes and corresponding miRNAs and found that DICER and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expressions increased simultaneously during osteogenic differentiation. Luciferase assay showed that Runx2 significantly increased the expression levels of DICER luciferase promoter reporter. Our analysis also revealed weaker DICER expression in embryos of Runx2 knock out mice (Runx2 -/-) compared with that of Runx2 +/- and Runx2 +/+ mice. We further established the calvarial bone critical-size defect (CSD) mouse model. The bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transfected with siRNA targeting DICER were combined with silk scaffolds and transplanted into calvarial bone CSDs. Five weeks post-surgery, micro-CT analysis revealed impaired bone formation, and repairing in calvarial defects with the siRNA targeting DICER group. In conclusion, our results suggest that DICER is specifically regulated by osteogenic master gene Runx2 that binds to the DICER promoter. Consequently, DICER cleaves precursors of miR-335-5p and miR-17-92 cluster to form mature miRNAs, which target and decrease the Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), and proapoptotic factor BIM levels, respectively, leading to an enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These intriguing results reveal a central mechanism underlying lineage-specific regulation by a Runx2/DICER/miRNAs cascade during osteogenic differentiation and bone development. Our study, also suggests a potential application of modulating DICER expression for bone tissue repair and regeneration. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 182-191, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.